Pump using waste tire

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a pump using a waste tire, capable of providing high abrasion-resistance and corrosion-resistance, and ensuring easy manufacture and maintenance, in addition to the prevention of a water hammer and rupture due to cold. In the pump of the present invention, a casing main body ( 110 ) is made of a waste tire. An inlet port unit ( 130 ) is installed at a first opening provided at a side of the waste tire, and a housing ( 120 ) is installed at a second opening provided at another side of the waste tire in such a way that an impeller ( 150 ) is set inside the casing main body ( 110 ). An outlet port unit ( 140 ) is installed at predetermined portion of the waste tire, thus acting as an outlet port of the casing main body. A sub-vane ( 152 ) made of a waste tire is removably mounted to a main vane ( 151 ) of the impeller.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to pumps which are operated to feed a fluid to a target place through a pipe, and more particularly, to a pump which is manufactured using a waste tire, capable of providing high abrasion-resistance or corrosion-resistance, allowing the pump to be easily manufactured, enhancing the performance of the pump, and ensuring easy maintenance of the pump due to easy replacement of components.

BACKGROUND ART

As well known to those skilled in the art, pumps are machines which are operated to transfer a fluid, such as liquid or gas, to a target place through a pipe, or are operated to send a fluid contained in a low-pressure container to a high-pressure container through a pipe. Such pumps have been widely used for transferring water as well as special fluids, including oil, several medicines, pulp, viscose, and sludge.

A basic performance of a pump is indicated by a head and a flow rate. The head is defined as a maximum height of a fluid raised by the pump. The flow rate is defined as a volume of a fluid discharged per a unit time. There are various kinds of pumps according to the heads, flow rates, and the kinds of fluids to be handled.

The pumps are classified into several types according to their structures, that is, reciprocating pumps, rotary pumps, centrifugal pumps, axial pumps, friction pumps, etc. Further, the pumps are classified into several types according to their purposes, that is, feed pumps, deep well pumps, and others. In addition, there is a vacuum pump which sucks air or other gases from a container to form a vacuum in the container.

The conventional reciprocating pumps are designed such that a piston or plunger reciprocates in a cylinder. During a reciprocation of the piston or plunger in the cylinder, a discharging valve and a sucking valve are alternately opened or closed to discharge or suck a fluid, thus raising the fluid. Of the conventional reciprocating pumps, a pump comprising a single cylinder and a pair of valves is called by a single acting pump, and an example thereof is a domestic well pump. In the case of the single acting pump, the flow rate of a transferred fluid is irregular. Thus, in order to keep the amount of the transferred fluid uniform, the single acting pump is used in cooperation with a double acting pump and/or a differential acting pump. The double acting pump is suitable for acase where a target head is high and a target flow rate is small, and is used in a hydraulic press, a boiler and other equipment.

The conventional rotary pumps are designed such that a component performing a piston movement is rotated. That is, a rotor of the rotary pump performs a desired piston movement. Such rotary pumps are classified into vane pumps, gear pumps, and screw pumps. In this case, the vane pump is provided on its rotor with a slidably moving vane without having a discharging valve or a sucking valve. The gear pump is provided with two gears which engage with each other. The rotary pump is smaller, in the variation of the discharging amount of a fluid, than the reciprocating pump, but is widely used for transferring various kinds of fluids, that is, water, gasoline, lubricant, paints, and asphalt. In addition, the rotary pump is widely used as an automatically controlled hydraulic pump.

The conventional centrifugal pumps are designed such that a spiral path is formed outside a rotating impeller, and are mainly used in industrial fields. While water entering a center of the pump passes the impeller, the pressure of water is increased. Thereafter, water is discharged to the outside of the impeller, passes the spiral path, and then arrives at an outlet of the pump. Such centrifugal pumps are classified into two types, that is, turbine pumps and volute pumps.

The turbine pump is designed such that water flowing from the impeller passes between guide vanes, and then flows out of a casing. The volute pump is not provided with such a guide vane. Of the two types, the former is suitable for generating a high head.

Particularly when a head is high, a multi-stage guide vane is used in the centrifugal pump. That is, water flowing from the guide vane of a first stage is led to an inlet of the guide vane of a second stage. The centrifugal pump is most widely used in industrial fields, including drainage, water supply, mines and chemical industries. Especially, the centrifugal pump with a guide vane improved to have considerable resistance to abrasion or corrosion is suitable for transferring water with sludge, sewage, pulp-mixed solution, gravel, and coal.

The axial pump is used in the case where a head is low and a flow rate is high, and transfers water in an axial direction by rotating a propeller-shaped impeller. Further, there has been developed an axial pump which is capable of changing the installation angle of the impeller during the operation of the pump, in order to prevent the operational efficiency of the pump from being reduced although the target flow rate is changed.

Further, the friction pump transfers fluid by an impeller which is designed such that a plurality of radial recesses are formed along a peripheral edge of a base plate of the impeller. As the impeller rotates, a fluid having a predetermined viscosity continuously moves between the recesses of the impeller and the wall of a casing due to centrifugal force, thus being compressed many times prior to being discharged. A shallow well pump is an example of the friction pump. The shallow well pump is preferably used as a small-capacity domestic well pump.

In addition, there are a jet pump, an air lift pump, etc. The jet pump jets high-pressure water or steam from a nozzle so as to suck water. The air lift pump raises a fluid using compressed air. That is, a lift pipe is put into a fluid and compressed air flows into the pump at its lower end, so that a mixture consisting of the fluid and air is produced. At this time, the specific weight of the mixture inside the lift pipe is reduced, so the fluid is raised to a desired height.

However, the conventional pumps have a problem that they are made of cast iron using castings, so abrasion-resistance and corrosion-resistance are low. When the conventional pumps are used for high-pressure pumping action, their weight and manufacturing cost are increased, and besides, their manufacture is not easy. Since it is difficult to replace worn components of the conventional pumps with new ones, the maintenance cost of the pumps is high, and the working efficiency while replacing the components of the pumps is low.

Meanwhile, there occur pressure surges, a so-called water hammer, when the fluid flow is abruptly changed in a fluid pipe. When a valve, installed at a downstream portion of the fluid pipe which is filled with fluid, is abruptly closed, the flow speed of the fluid flowing in the fluid pipe is abruptly reduced and the kinetic energy of the fluid is transformed into increased pressure, so hydraulic impact is applied to the fluid pipe, thereby causing a water hammer.

Such a phenomenon also occurs even when a closed valve is abruptly opened. Assuming that a fluid is ideally incompressible and the wall of the fluid pipe is made of a rigid material, a pressure may become an infinite when the valve is instantaneously closed. However, since, in fact, the fluid is somewhat compressible and the wall of the fluid pipe is elastic, the wall is slightly extended when the valve is closed, and the fluid is compressed, with increased pressure. But, the increase in the pressure is limited to a predetermined level.

For example, when a demand for electricity is abruptly reduced or there occurs a sudden power failure, a valve installed at an inlet of a turbine of a power plant is closed, so a water hammer occurs in a pipe. At this time, a pipe line is undesirably broken, so the power plant may be exposed to danger. Thus, in order to prevent the water hammer, the closing speed of the valve must be controlled on the basis of an accurate calculation, or a safety valve must be additionally installed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pump using a waste tire, which is easy to manufacture, has a high durability, and ensures easy maintenance, and which prevents a water hammer from occurring, in addition to the prevention of rupture of the pump due to cold, without using an additional device, thus enhancing the performance of the pump.

In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a pump using a waste tire, including a housing provided with an impeller and a casing main body having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein the casing main body is made of a waste tire, and an inlet port unit is installed at a first opening which is provided at a side of the waste tire, thus functioning as the inlet port of the casing main body, and the housing is installed at a second opening provided at another side of the waste tire opposite to the first opening, and an outlet port unit is installed at a predetermined portion of the waste tire to function as the outlet port of the casing main body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pump using a waste tire, which is designed such that a sub-vane made of a waste tire is removably mounted to a surface of a main vane of the impeller rotating to force a fluid in a desired direction.

The present invention provides a pump, which is designed such that a casing main body is made of a waste tire and a sub-vane made of a waste tire is removably mounted to a main vane of an impeller, thus allowing the pump to be easily manufactured and reducing the manufacturing cost of the pump, and providing high abrasion-resistance and corrosion-resistance, and ensuring easy maintenance of the pump and reducing its maintenance cost due to easy replacement of components, and which is designed such that the casing main body has elasticity, thus preventing a water hammer from occurring and preventing the pump from being frozen to rupture, therefore enhancing the performance of the pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a pump using a waste tire according to a primary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view showing an impeller included in the pump according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a front view of the impeller shown in FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a pump using a waste tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pump shown in FIG. 3.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference should now be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a pump according to a primary embodiment of the present invention FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are a perspective view and a front view showing an impeller according to the present invention, respectively.

As shown in the drawings, the pump of the present invention includes a housing 120 which is provided with an impeller 150 and a casing main body 110 having an inlet port and an outlet port. In this case, the casing main body 110 is made of a waste tire while keeping an original shape of the waste tire. An inlet port unit 130 is hermetically installed at a first opening which is provided at a side of the waste tire, thus functioning as the inlet port of the casing main body 110. The housing 120 is hermetically installed at a second opening provided at another side of the waste tire opposite to the first hole in such a way that the impeller 150 is set inside the casing main body 110. An outlet port unit 140 is installed at a predetermined portion of the waste tire to function as the outlet port of the casing main body 110. A sub-vane 152 made of a waste tire is mounted to a leading surface of each main vane 151 of the impeller 150.

The reference numerals 210 and 220 denote liners installed on the inner surfaces of the inlet port unit 130 and the housing 120, respectively. The liners 210 and 220 are used for easily replacing the waste tire of the casing main body 110 with another waste tire.

The inlet port unit 130 is fastened to the liner 210 by means of fastening pieces 170, so that the fastening pieces 170 stably hold the inlet port unit 130 while preventing the inlet port unit 130 from downwardly drooping.

According to the present invention, the casing main body 110 is made of a waste tire, that is, industrial wastes, while keeping an original shape of the waste tire. Further, the housing 120 and the inlet port unit 130 are installed at openings which are provided at both sides of the waste tire, respectively, and the outlet port unit 140 is installed at a predetermined portion of the waste tire.

That is, the casing main body 110 is made of a waste tire while keeping an original shape of the waste tire. The inlet port unit 130 is hermetically installed at the first opening which is provided at a side of the waste tire, thus functioning as the inlet port of the casing main body 110. The housing 120 provided with the impeller 150 is hermetically installed at the second opening which is provided at another side of the waste tire to function as the outlet port of the casing main body 110. In this case, the impeller 150 is set inside the casing main body 110.

Since the casing main body 110 is made of a waste tire having elasticity, the pump of the present invention is superior to conventional pumps in terms of corrosion-resistance and abrasion-resistance. Although the size of the casing main body 110 is increased to accomplish a high-capacity pump, there are various kinds of waste tires standardized according to their sizes, so the casing main body 110 is more easily manufactured. Further, although the size of the casing main body 110 is increased, the weight as well as the cost of the waste tire of the casing main body 110 are not greatly increased, thus allowing the pump to be easily manufactured and carried with.

When it is necessary to service the casing main body 110, the waste tire of the casing main body 110 is easily replaced with another waste tire, thus ensuring easy replacement and maintenance of components and reducing the replacement and maintenance cost. In addition, it is not necessary to use an elastic pipe for preventing or absorbing a vibration at the outlet port unit 140. Since the casing main body 110 has elasticity, a desired arrangement of components is easily achieved. Above all, the pump of the present invention prevents a water hammer from occurring, because the casing main body 110 has elasticity.

According to the present invention, a waste tire, that is, a kind of industrial waste, is effectively recycled, thus accomplishing an environmentally friendly effect, and preventing the casing main body 110 from being frozen to rupture in severe cold.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are a perspective view and a front view showing an impeller included in the pump according to the present invention, respectively. Since the sub-vane 152 made of a waste tire is removably mounted to a leading surface of each main vane 151 of the impeller 150, the main vanes 151 are not worn but the sub-vanes 152 mounted to the main vanes 151 are worn by the rotation of the impeller 150. Further, each sub-vane 152 is made of a waste tire, so it is not easily worn. However, although the sub-vane 152 is worn, the waste tire of the sub-vane 152 is easily replaced with another waste tire, thus prolonging the useful life span of the impeller 150, therefore enhancing the durability and performance of the pump.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views showing a pump using a waste tire according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Thick beads 111 a and 111 b are provided along edges of two openings which are provided at both sides of the waste tire. The housing 120 and the inlet port unit 130 are installed at the two openings of the waste tire, respectively. In this case, L-shaped flanges 121 and 131 are provided at predetermined portions on outer surfaces of the housing 120 and the inlet port unit 130 so as to hold the beads 111 a and 111 b.

Further, two U-shaped connecting rings 160 are fitted over two portions of the casing main body 110 in radial directions, respectively, in such a way that both ends of each of the connecting rings 160 are fastened to the housing 120 and the inlet port unit 130, respectively. Such a configuration allows the inlet port unit 130 to be reliably supported by the connecting rings 160, thus preventing the inlet port unit 130 from downwardly drooping.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the inlet port unit 130 and the housing 120 are installed at the openings of the waste tire, the beads 111 a and 111 b provided along the edges of the openings are supported by the L-shaped flanges 121 and 131 which are provided on the outer surfaces of the housing 120 and the inlet port unit 130, and both ends of the U-shaped connecting rings 160 are fastened to the inlet port unit 130 and the housing 120, thus firmly and reliably maintaining the assembled state of the casing main body 110, the inlet port unit 130 and the housing 120.

The U-shaped connecting rings 160 constantly maintain the interval between the housing 120 and the inlet port unit 130 which are in contact with the beads 111 a and 111 b, thus always keeping the interval between the two beads 111 a and 111 b constant.

Industrial Applicability

As described above, the present invention provides a pump using a waste tire which is not easily recycled as a kind of industrial waste, which is designed such that a casing main body is made of a waste tire and a sub-vane made of a waste tire is removably mounted to a main-vane of an impeller, thus providing high abrasion resistance and corrosion resistance, and allowing easy manufacture of the pump and reducing the manufacturing cost of the pump although the size of the pump is increased, and thus ensuring easy replacement of components, therefore allowing the pump to be easily and inexpensively repaired, and thus preventing a water hammer from occurring, in addition to the prevention of the rupture of the pump in severe cold.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. 

1. A pump using a waste tire, the pump comprising: a housing provided with an impeller, and a casing main body having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein said casing main body is made of a waste tire while keeping an original shape of the waste tire, with an inlet port unit being installed at a first opening which is provided at a side of the waste tire, thus functioning as the inlet port of the casing main body, and the housing being installed at a second opening provided at another side of the waste tire opposite to the first opening in such a way that the impeller is set inside the casing main body, and an outlet port unit being installed at a predetermined portion of the waste tire to function as the outlet port of the casing main body.
 2. The pump according to claim 1, wherein a sub-vane made of a waste tire is removably mounted to a main vane of the impeller.
 3. The pump according to claim 1, wherein liners used for easily replacing the waste tire of the casing main body with another waste tire are installed on inner surfaces of the housing and the inlet port unit, respectively, which are provided on both sides of the casing main body made of the waste tire.
 4. The pump according to claim 1, wherein two U-shaped connecting rings are fitted over two portions of the casing main body in radial directions, 0 respectively, in such a way that both ends of each of the connecting rings are fastened to the housing and the inlet port unit, respectively.
 5. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the inlet port unit are fastened to liners by means of fastening pieces. 